structural design and analysis

House Lifting

Lifting and moving buildings has become a popular method of hazard mitigation, energy-efficient retrofitting, and historic preservation. PERCH specializes in solving the structural and geotechnical challenges of these endeavors.

1057 Herring Brook Rd, Moretown, VT

The homeowner received a grant from FEMA to elevate his house 7 feet for flood mitigation. Messier House Moving performed the actual lift. PERCH specified a procedure to break up the existing basement slab for proper drainage, fill and compact over it, and place a new ground-level slab. The compacted soil was tested during construction to verify adequate density and moisture content. PERCH also designed a weld detail for the new steel beam supporting the second floor, and a wall with anchor bolts to connect the elevated house down to its original foundation.

1875 Maston Hill Rd, Granville, VT

PERCH designed a low-tech method to elevate an existing timber frame for construction of a 12-inch insulated floor underneath. Working with architect Hearth Design-Build, PERCH specified a pair of Pratt trusses built from 8×8 rough-cut timbers and lag-bolted to the frame. The timbers were later reused to build the roof of the addition. PERCH also consulted on the configuration of floor joists and the depth and connection of open-web joist rafters.